The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-30
MONTANA INDUSTRIES.
The Territory Prospecting and It's Resources
Being Rapidly Developed.

Being Rapidly Developed.
New York Tribune
One of the rising young men of the Territory
is Russell B. Harrison, the son of ex-S Senator
Harrison, of Indiana, who has made his home in
Montana. whore he is engaged in cattle-raising.
He has recently come on here from Helena. In
a talk about affairs in that part of the country
he said: Montana is experiencing most re-
markable degree of prosperity and development.
The principal cause and evidence are to be found
in the extension of railroads-both main and
branch lines. The st. Paul. Minneapolis s.
Manitoba road, of which James Hill is president,
decided year ago to extend its main line from
St Paul, Mimi, to Helena and Butte City. It
has performed some remarkable feats of railroad
ing. When spring opened the company had con-
centrated at Minot to which point the road had
been extended last fall, over forty acres of iron.
that this the largest body of railroad supplies
in value and quantity ever concentrated at
any one point in the worlds history The
seee es dae Bu soon as tho
was settled three shifts OF track-layers were
eanized, working eight hours each, and by the
aid OF electric-hght they have been pushing
along at the rate of seven to eight miles day.
This is the first time in the history OF the coun-
try where electric-light has been used to lay
tracks on a main line. The distance from Minot
to Helena is about six hundred miles. of which
nearly the entire distance requires grading. So
rapid is the advance that they expect to be run
ming trains by Oct l. The main line will be
seventy-fve to one hundred miles shorter from
st. Paul to Helena than by the Northern Pacific.
The Manitoba railroad has projected a number
of branches over Montana, and the Northern Pa
cific is also actively work throwing out
branches under the management of ex- Governor
S. T. Hauser, through which the company ex-
poets to get TO the principal mining camps and
agricultural regions. A close estimate of the
amount of Eastern money that will be spent in
Montana in railroad development this year is
500, 000, 900. Such sum of money expended in
this way will unquestionably help the Territory
largely"
Speaking about mining matters. Mr.. Harrison
said: There is great activity in mining Mon
tana has to-day some OF the largest and best
dividend paying mines In the United States.
Twenty years ago she stood at the foot of the
list of States and Territories in bullion output.
about million dollars behind Colorado. Next
year she will exceed Colorado in the product OF
gold and silver. not to mention lead and copper
in which Montana has leading rank. The grow
ing wealth of the Territory is demonstrated in
the solidity of her two principal cities. Helena.
the capital of Montana, is one of the wealthiest
cities in the West. 1t is phenomenal in this
respect. 1t has four national banks with an ag-
gregate in capital aud deposits OF nearly eight
million dollars. 1t has become a railroad center,
and will easily maintain Its supremacy IN this
respect. Butte City is the largest mining CEN
ter. The mlnes in its vicinity and which even
underly the town itself produce more bull
for their production than any other
mines within similar space In the world. Mr..
Hill. of the Manitoba road. has projected a new
town st the head of navigation on the Missouri
river which promises to become a manufacturing
center. It has the advantage of railroad ccm-
munication and of power from the falls of the
Missouri one of which is ninety-six feet drop.
II has been named Great Falls. and has already
a population of 2 500" Speaking about cattle
growing, Mr. Harrison said: The cattle bust
ness has been somewhat depressed owing to the
severe winter. 1t has. however, recovered its
equilibrium. Men in the business have not lost
heart. and the losses on close examination are
proving be very little in excess of the previous
year and not nearly so great as reported. Prices
paid cattlegrowers have gradually declined
for two years owing TO the existence of ring at
Chicago which had control of the transportation
and rebates. The prices to consumers IN the
East have not materially changed in this time.
The ring at Chicago has snapped MP the profits
of the producers The present prospect is that
this ring will he broken mp, and that within a
year or two the producer will get his fair share
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